Under 8’s 2006/07 Season Review

The boys opened the 2006/07 season in buoyant mood having bettered our rivals in the Under 7’s with some style the previous season.

The opening fixture paired the team against Thorncliffe Juniors. Thorncliffe had been one of our closest challengers in the U7 season and would, over the course of the season, prove yet again to be formidable opponents. But on this occasion it was to be first blood to Brampton with a hard fought 2-1 home win in which our two goalkeepers were outstanding.

There then followed a run of 6 straight wins before a tricky looking away tie at Wickersley. The tone was set with the boys on the end of some heavy tackling in the opening few minutes. Although temporarily knocked out of their stride the boys soon regained their composure and their natural passing game came to the fore and saw them take a 4 – 3 lead before Wickersley levelled with the last kick of the game. It was the first dropped points of the season and the boys were disappointed, especially given the lateness of the equalizer – but there was no doubt that we had been in a game and the team would grow stronger for the experience.

We went on the road again in week 9 and recorded a resounding 31-1 win (which would prove to be the most goals scored by a single team during the season). The match also saw us hitting our 100th goal of the campaign and the win meant we completed the 1st half of the season undefeated

Another emphatic 9 – 1 win the following week, our sixth straight home win, was the precursor to our eagerly awaited return at Thorncliffe.

And what a match it proved to be. Both teams were playing the game in a fantastic spirit. The match was marked with great passing, commitment and no shortage of skill as both teams recognized the importance of the match having been so close rivals. The match see-sawed and for a while it looked like home advantage would tell as Thorncliffe took a 4-3 lead. But not for the first time, the boys dug deep. They played their way back in and got on top. First pulling level then taking a 5 – 4 lead with very little time to go. The cheer which greeted that 5th goal could have been heard back in Chesterfield! However there was to be a sting in the tail as Thorncliffe levelled deep into ‘added on’ time. However it would be churlish to deny them their draw in what was surely the match of the season.

Three away matches, either side of the Christmas break saw three wins recorded, with 32 goals scored and none conceded. This kept the team on top form. However with both Thorncliffe and Wickersley continuing to win, the run in was by no means over.

The next match would see Wickersley at Newbold. The boys were cautious but confident. They had every right to be. They quickly took control of the match, kept their shape and simply played Wickersley off the park, recording a 4 – 0 win which effectively ended the Wickersley challenge.

A harder than expected match at Bramley followed, which eventually ended in a 6 – 4 win. This was our last away match and meant we had won 7 and drawn 2 on the road.

The task was now clear. 2 matches left, both at home. Win both and we better all our rivals for a second successive season. The way the boys were playing there was little doubt that they would do exactly that and they did not disappoint. A 15 – 0 win in the penultimate match was followed by a 24 – 0 win in our final match.

The stats for the season say it all really. The team finished the season undefeated. They recorded a perfect home record of 9 wins, no draws and no defeats. They scored a total of 201 goals with every player, including both goalkeepers, scoring! The defence was the meanest in the league losing only 22 goals. This included 9 clean sheets and another 4 matches where only a single goal was conceded.

We now look forward with confidence to the forthcoming summer tournament season and, of course, the move to Under 9’s.

Team History(Vic U9s)
Some of the players joined Brampton Rovers in 2003, then aged 4 and played alongside others aged 5 and 6. The origins of the team began at Pennine Way, Loundsley Green. Richard Kershaw, took charge of the group.
2003/2004 Season
As Richard moved in to the league with the new U7s, Vic Risorto was invited to take over the running of the Nursery Squad – this was a group of boys aged 4-6. Dale Spragg and Vic worked together to develop the whole team whilst preparing the next group of boys to become the U7s for next season. Training took place at the Queens Park Sports Centre and Christ Church School. Training included working in zones to enhance control, passing, shooting and heading the ball. Lots of mini-soccer supported these basic skills.
2004/5 Season
Dale moved with the new U7s leaving Vic to re-build the numbers yet again. Training continued at Christ Church and moved to the Queens Park Sports Centre during the winter months. In the summer of 2004, St Mary’s Primary School kindly offered to allow the team to use their playing field. Mark Spacie took little persuading to join Vic as his assistant. Luke Matthews was also involved in the coaching(now with Handley Wood). They both worked relentlessly to get the team in a shape which would ensure the right start in the Sheffield League. The team was made up of boys from many schools across Chesterfield with the bulk of them having been together since 2003/2004 season.
2005/2006 Season – BRAFC U7s – Main Sponsor LEPRECHAUNS OUT OF SCHOOL CLUBS
The team went in to their first match in September 2005 having played friendlies and many practice sessions. Both the parents and boys had a good team spirit which as they travelled north, in all weather, gave them the belief which ultimately delivered a fantastic first set of results;
Plyd W D L F A
16 14 1 1 114 30 - Those 15 boys were the best 15 that year!

2006/2007 Season – BRAFC U8s – Main Sponsor was LEPRECHAUNS OUT OF SCHOOL CLUBS

The stats for the season say it all really, below is a review of our season.

Redfearns 2008 - Runners Up
Eckington Boys Semi finalist 2008
Brimwood Semi Finalist 2008
Brinsworth Whitehill 2008 - Runners Up
Matlock 2008 - Champions
Wickersley Youth 2008 - Champions
U8 League 2007 - Top
Brampton Rovers 2007 - Champions
Matlock 2007 - Runners Up
Wingerworth 2007 - Runners Up
U7 League 2006 - Top
Ilkeston Town 2006 - Champions & Runners Up
Brampton Rovers 2006 - Runners Up

As a club we have been blessed with supportive and committed sponsors who have ensured the lads are always professionally turned out. Our thanks go to:

2008/09

Main Kit Sponsor - Milbury & Voyage
Tracksuits - EDS
Rainjackets - Total Building Services
Polo Shirts - Spear & Design
Training Bibs - Mould Ability Ltd

2007/08

Main Kit Sponsor - Milbury & Voyage
Tracksuits - EDS
Rainjackets - Total Building Services
Polo shirts - Spear & Design

2006/07

Main Kit Sponsor - Leprechauns out of School Clubs
Rainjackets - Total Building Services
Sweatshirts - Milbury Care Homes
Training Shirts - Spear & Design

2005/06

Main Kit Sponsor - Leprechauns out of School Clubs
Rainjackets - Total Building Services
Sweatshirts - Milbury Care Homes
Training Shirts - Spear & Design